Monday Night Fights.

The New York Giants might be eliminated from playoff contention, but they aren’t going quietly into the night. Especially as the New England Patriots take aim at Big Blue’s rookie quarterback.

Jaxson Dart cleared concussion protocol ahead of the Giants’ Week 13 trip to New England, allowing him to retake his spot at the starting quarterback.

The Patriots certainly didn’t waste any time reintroducing the rookie to the pros, however, as Christian Elliss laid the boom on Dart.

Both teams sparred following the play, but only the Giants’ Theo Johnson was flagged for a personal foul.

It was the second time in as many drives that Dart took a big hit from a Patriots’ defender and the second time it drew a reaction from the visiting team.

Reports indicated that the Giants were going to protect Dart from himself, opting to remove designed runs from the playbook to avoid any unnecessary hits, according to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan.

While the hit didn’t look good, it was a legal one from Elliss. The linebacker hit the quarterback in the shoulder while he was still in bounds.

The Giants are hoping to coach that out of Dart, encouraging him to prioritize his health more going forward.

Early returns aren’t promising, but Elliss’ hit was yet another teaching moment for the rookie quarterback.

FOXBOROUGH, MA — For the second time in three games, New York Giants rookie defensive lineman Abdul Carter was nowhere to be found when the “Big Blue” defense took the field for the first time. 

And neither he nor interim head coach Mike Kafka wanted to discuss after the Giants’ thrashing at the hands of the New England Patriots, 33-15. Kafka repeatedly said it was ‘my decision’ during his postgame news conference, while Carter’s refrain to reporters was ‘(expletive) happens.’

In fact, Kafka repeated the phrase ‘my decision’ 11 times during his back-and-forth with reporters, who continually pressed him on his reasoning. Kafka said he did not regret the choice.

Carter wore a long blue overcoat near the Giants’ bench as the defense allowed a field goal on the opening drive of the “Monday Night Football” matchup and remained on the sideline for their touchdown drive later in the quarter. 

‘Listen, when he came back in the game you saw the kind of impact he had and the player this guy is,’ he said. ‘This is a kid that I, again, I back, I support this kid highly and for any young player that we have on the roster, whether it’s Abdul or any rookie or young player, we’re going to make sure we him under our wing and continue to develop these guys because they’re important to us. They’re important to me.

‘That was my decision, my decision only. Anything else outside of it is going to be kept in house.’

Kafka benched Carter for the first defensive series against the Green Bay Packers on Nov. 16 because he missed a walkthrough while in a recovery bed; Carter disputed reports he napped through a team activity and said the treatment was part of his training. 

‘Again, those are tough decisions to make, but that was my decision and, again, the kid, nothing with him,’ Kafka said. ‘Everything that we did was my decision and obviously I’m sure he wasn’t happy about it, which I understand, but I thought that was the best thing for the team and it was my decision to move forward with it and that’s where we’re at.’

The Giants selected Carter third overall out of Penn State in the 2025 draft. He rejoined his unit in the second quarter in search of his first full sack of the season, which came three plays later when he took down Patriots quarterback Drake Maye at the line of scrimmage.

‘Like I said, I have to be better,’ Carter told reporters. ‘I have to take pride in what I do, be where I have to be at. Simple as that.’

The reliever market is starting to heat up, and the latest maneuver signals a significant change for the New York Mets.

The Mets agreed to terms with two-time All-Star Devin Williams on a three-year contract, The Athletic reported, a sign the club is almost certainly moving on from stalwart Edwin Diaz.

Williams, 31, was the 2020 NL Rookie of the Year and earned an NL reliever of the year nod with the Milwaukee Brewers, when he played for current Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns. After a trade to the New York Yankees, struggled for significant stretches and lost his closer job.

Yet with his trademark changeup and career marks of 14.1 strikeouts per nine and a 1.04 WHIP, Williams remains one of the game’s elite relievers. And with a reported value of more than $50 million, the Mets’ investment in Williams likely marks their major relief splash this winter.

That means Diaz, who transitioned from volatile closer to folk hero, will likely move on. He opted out of the final two years of his five-year, $102 million deal with the Mets after posting his second All-Star campaign with the club.

Diaz should easily top Williams’ guaranteed dollars on the open market, where the Los Angeles Dodgers and other top spenders are expected to vie for his services. He struck out 118 batters in 62 innings in his epic 2022 season, when his trumpet-fueled Citi Field entrance became a part of franchise lore.

New Jersey Devils defenseman Brenden Dillon’s 1,000th career game was cut short on Monday, Dec. 1.

He was shaken up and needed help getting off the ice after a fight in the second period.

The incident happened soon after Devils television announcers did a segment on the career of Dillon, who reached the milestone despite going undrafted. The announcers noted his physical play and showed a couple of his fights.

As play resumed, a scrum broke out in front of Devils goalie Jake Allen. Columbus’ Dmitri Voronkov and Dillon squared off. Dillon’s helmet came off, and Voronkov tied up the defenseman and threw a couple punches, knocking him down.

Dillon was down for a while, was wobbly when getting up and was helped off the ice by teammates. Another Devils player served his fighting major.

The Devils lost another defenseman soon after when Jonas Siegenthaler received a game misconduct for not having his jersey tied down during a fight.

Dillon came back to the bench in the second period and skated three shifts before intermission. He didn’t come out for the third period and the Devils played the rest of the game down two defensemen.

Dillon has 42 goals, 179 assists and 949 penalty minutes in 1,000 career games with Dallas, San Jose, Washington, Winnipeg and New Jersey.

Kevin Patullo’s house was vandalized following the Philadelphia Eagles’ loss on Black Friday to the Chicago Bears, according to multiple reports.

It comes on the heels of a viral video initially posted on TikTok, which surfaced on Dec. 1, that claimed rocks were being thrown at Patullo’s home in Moorestown, New Jersey.

Police confirmed that the vandals were throwing eggs, not rocks, at the residence.

The incident occurred around 2:50 a.m. ET on Nov. 29 – just hours after the 24-15 loss at Lincoln Financial Field.

Detectives are still working to determine the identities of those involved in the incident, according to Moorestown PD.

USA TODAY Sports reached out to Moorestown PD for comment.

The Eagles’ offensive coordinator has been heavily criticized for the team’s struggles on offense this season. Patullo took over for Kellen Moore, who held the same position during the 2024 season before being hired as head coach of the New Orleans Saints after Super Bowl 59.

It is Patullo’s first year as the play caller, but not his first in the organization.

The 44-year-old has been with the Eagles since the 2021 season, when he joined Sirianni’s staff as the passing game coordinator.

He took on the added title of associate head coach for the 2023 and 2024 seasons before being promoted to offensive coordinator in Feb. 2025.

Philadelphia’s offense ranks 19th in points per game and 24th in yards per game, after finishing top-10 in both statistics for three straight seasons.

Sirianni told reporters on Nov. 28 that the team isn’t considering a change regarding Patullo.

‘We’re not changing the play-caller, but we will evaluate everything,’ Sirianni said. ‘It’s never just about one person. You win as a team, you lose as a team and you try to evaluate everything, win, lose or draw, and get better from it.

Despite the struggles, the Eagles are 8-4 and remain firmly in first place in the NFC East with just five games to go.

There’s optimism that Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert’s hand injury won’t sideline him.

Herbert underwent surgery to repair a fracture in his left hand on Dec. 1. The Chargers provided an update in the afternoon after Herbert’s procedure.

‘Justin Herbert underwent successful surgery today in Los Angeles to stabilize a fracture in his left hand. Herbert’s return to play is considered day-to-day, and his status for next Monday’s game against Philadelphia will be determined later in the week.’

Herbert injured his left non-throwing hand during the first quarter of the Chargers’ 31-14 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.

The injury occurred during Los Angeles’ opening drive when Herbert scrambled and was brought to the turf by Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn. Herbert and the Chargers went on to score on the 14-play, 74-yard touchdown drive to start the game. However, Herbert exited to locker room after the Chargers’ opening series.

Herbert returned in the second quarter with a white glove and tape on his left hand and finished the game. He passed for 151 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in the win. The Chargers quarterback said postgame he was confident the injury wouldn’t cost him any games.

‘I’m treating it as if I’m playing on Monday,’ Herbert said on Sunday. ‘I think they’re very hopeful for that. I think that’s just something that we’ll see tomorrow and we’ll get a feel for. But I think they were really hopeful. So that’s always a good thing.’

Monday’s update from Harbaugh is another positive sign that Herbert’s hand injury won’t keep him out of action. The Chargers have a difficult five-game stretch to close the regular season as they attempt to clinch a playoff spot. They are currently fifth in the AFC playoff race.

Herbert and the Chargers host the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 14 on Monday night. Herbert’s 2,842 passing yards and 21 touchdown passes this season both rank in the top 10.

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.

The U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team has closed out the calendar year with its 12th victory. 

The USWNT defeated Italy 2-0 at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Monday, marking the American’s second consecutive sweep of the Italians and fourth consecutive win to end the year.

Catarina Macario got the USWNT on the board in the 20th minute with her eighth goal of the year. Macario is the first U.S. player to score in three straight games since Mallory Swanson scored six in a row from November 2022 to February 2023. Jaedyn Shaw tacked on another goal in the 41st minute to pad the USWNT’s lead, while goalkeeper Claudia Dickey turned in a clean sheet with a save on the Italians’ lone shot on goal.

USA TODAY provided live updates and highlights from Monday’s action:

66′ – USWNT 2-0 Italy

What a chaotic sequence! Avery Patterson got a cross pass to the middle of the box, which was headed toward the goal by captain Lindsey Heaps. Italy’s goalkeeper blocked the attempt, but Cat Macario was there to clean up the shot to put the USWNT up by 3-0. But not so fast. A foul was called on Lily Yohannes for holding, resulting in the goal and Macario’s brace being wiped off the board.

61′ – USWNT 2-0 Italy

Emma Sears was assessed a yellow card following a collision with Italian goalkeeper Francesca Durante.

USWNT subs

Avery Patterson, Kennedy Wesley and Emma Sears are subbed in at halftime for Naomi Girma, Emily Fox and Alyssa Thompson.

Italy subs

Sofia Cantore replaced Agnese Bonfantini at halftime.

HT – USWNT 2-0 New Italy

The USWNT has a 2-0 lead at halftime. It was all U.S. in the first half with the Americans possessing the ball 63.7% of the time, compared to just 36.3% for Italy. The USWNT had two shots on the goal and five shot attempts, while Italy was held in check with one shot on the goal and two shot attempts.

45′ – USWNT 2-0 Italy

Alice Corelli tried to get Italy on board, but USWNT goalkeeper Claudia Dickey saved the attempt.

41′ – USWNT 2-0 Italy

Jaedyn Shaw put the USWNT up 2-0 over Italy ahead of halftime. Fresh off a NWSL championship with Gotham FC, Shaw launched a strike from the outside the box to the top right corner to snap her 13-game USWNT scoring drought. Alyssa Thompson was credited with an assist.

20′ – USWNT 1-0 Italy

Cat Macario didn’t miss this time. Lily Yohannes found Macario in stride and Macario chipped it in right over Italian goalkeeper Francesca Durante. The impressive shot drew an amazed reaction from USWNT head coach Emma Hayes. Macario has been on a heater and her goal marks her third against Italy in the last two games. She’s up to eight goals on the year.

7′ – USWNT 0-0 Italy

USWNT’s Claudia Dickey nearly had a goalkeeper assist to start the match. Dickey connected with Cat Macario, who sprinted past two defenders up the middle of the field with the ball. Macario was close to getting the Americans on the board first, but Macario’s shot on the goal went wide and missed to the right.

Kickoff

We are underway at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida!

USWNT lineup vs. Italy

USA: Claudia Dickey (18); Jordyn Bugg (2), Naomi Girma (4), Lily Yohannes (7), Jaedyn Shaw (8), Kate Wiesner (9), Lindsey Heaps (10-Capt.), Claire Hutton (15), Cat Macario (20), Alyssa Thompson (21), Emily Fox (23)

Available Subs: Mandy McGlynn (1), Avery Patterson (3), Kennedy Wesley (5), Croix Bethune (11), Lilly Reale (12), Olivia Moultrie (13), Emily Sonnett (14), Rose Lavelle (16), Sam Coffey (17), Emma Sears (19), Jaelin Howell (25), Jameese Joseph (26)

Italy vs USWNT lineup

When is USWNT vs. Italy?

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET on Monday, Dec. 1.

Where is USWNT vs. Italy being played?

The USWNT-Italy friendly will be played at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

How to watch USWNT vs. Italy

The match will be televised on TBS, with Spanish-language television broadcast available on Universo.

How to stream USWNT vs. Italy

The match will stream on Max and Peacock. Streaming is also available on Sling.

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One day after the WNBA and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBPA) agreed to extend the current collective barging agreement (CBA) through Jan. 9, the league has reportedly come to the negotiating table with a new proposal that increases player compensation.

The league’s latest offer includes a maximum $1 million guaranteed base salary with projected revenue sharing raising max players’ total earnings to more than $1.2 million in 2026, a source close to the situation told USA TODAY Sports. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they’re not authorized to speak publicly about ongoing negotiations.

The offer also raises the league’s minimum salary to more than $225,000 and the average salary to more than $500,000, up from $220,000 and $460,000, respectively, in the WNBA’s previous proposal on Nov. 18.

The latest proposal also raises the salary cap to $5 million a season per team, an increase from $1.5 million salary cap in 2025. The salary cap would reportedly increase over the length of the CBA and be directly tied to the league’s revenue growth each year, although the specific revenue sharing details weren’t disclosed.

USA TODAY Sports reached out to the WNBA and WNBPA for comment. 

Although the WNBA and WNBPA are on the record saying players deserve a significant pay increase in the next CBA, the sides have differing opinions on how to go about it has led the current standoff.

The league previously proposed a maximum salary of more than $1.1 million — including both the base salary and revenue sharing component — available to more than one player per team on Nov. 18, but the proposal didn’t move the needle for the players. Both sides subsequently agreed on the Nov. 30 deadline to extend the CBA for a second time as revenue sharing and pay structure remain points of contention in negotiations.

Last season, the minimum salary was $66,079, while the supermax was worth $249,244. Only five WNBA players made more than $225,000 last season and they included Kelsey Mitchell at $269,244, Arike Ogunbowale at $249,032, Jewell Loyd, at $249,032, Kahleah Copper at $248,134 and Gabby Williams at $225,000

The current CBA was previously set to expire on Oct. 31 after the WNBPA exercised its right to opt out of the agreement in October 2024. However, the WNBA and players association agreed to a 30-day extension to extend the deadline to Nov. 30 to allow more time for a deal to be reached. The new deadline has been moved to Jan. 9, 2026, and both sides have the option to terminate the extension with 48 hours’ advance notice.

The league and players association previously agreed to a 60-day extension in 2019, three days before the last CBA was set to expire on Oct. 31, 2019. A new deal was subsequently reached on the current CBA on Jan. 14, 2020 and singed into effect three days later on Jan. 17, 2020. The WNBA has not had a work stoppage in its nearly 30-year existence.

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We are officially one week away from the 2025 fantasy football playoffs.

With ‘Monday Night Football’ pending, the following quarterbacks failed to record 15 fantasy points: Baker Mayfield, Justin Herbert, Matthew Stafford, Caleb Williams, Lamar Jackson, and Sam Darnold. Meanwhile, two of the top four passers are Marcus Mariota and Bryce Young. At running back, Jahmyr Gibbs, Josh Jacobs, Ashton Jeanty, Rico Dowdle, Saquon Barkley and Travis Etienne all rank outside the top 25. Wide receiver was no different, with Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Amon-Ra St. Brown (ankle injury), DeVonta Smith, Emeka Egbuka, Justin Jefferson, Jaylen Waddle, DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. all scoring fewer than 10 half-PPR points. Weirdly, tight end felt like the most predictable position.

Here’s a look at Week 14 fantasy football rankings. Toggle between standard, half PPR (point per reception) and full PPR to see where players rank in your league’s format. Scroll to the bottom to view the complete rankings.

Our team at USA TODAY Sports has you covered with plenty of content to help with your Week 14 waiver wire and roster decisions. Looking for up-to-date player news? We’ve got it. Don’t forget to check out the rest of our content:

Waiver wire and transactions: 9 players to add | 10 players to buy or sell

Please note: These rankings will change significantly as the week goes on. Check back on Sunday morning for final updates.

(The risers and sleepers sections will focus on players available in at least half of Yahoo leagues. All snap and target data from PFF.)

Week 14 fantasy football quarterback rankings: Risers and sleepers

• Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence (52% rostered) – This one is cheating a bit, as Lawrence is rostered in 52% of leagues, but the state of streaming options in Week 14 is not pretty. The 26-year-old has posted at least 16 fantasy points in seven of his last eight games, and he’ll be going up against a Colts defense that will likely be without star corner Sauce Gardner.
• Commanders QB Marcus Mariota (10%) – There’s a slight possibility that Jayden Daniels will be back in Week 14, but if he isn’t, Mariota would be a top streaming option. The veteran has eclipsed 16 fantasy points in five of his six starts, including 24.3 against a tough Denver defense.
• Saints QB Tyler Shough (7%) – Starting Shough is not for the faint of heart, but the rookie has dropped 19.0 and 18.4 fantasy points in two of his last three outings. Shough will get the benefit of facing a Bucs defense that’s allowed the most fantasy points to quarterbacks since their Week 9 bye.
• Other QB streamers to consider – Jets QB Tyrod Taylor (4%), Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa (20%), Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy (31%)

Week 14 fantasy football running back rankings: Risers and sleepers

• Commanders RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. (24%) – Washington’s backfield is a mess, but Rodriguez has seen fairly consistent usage recently. The 26-year-old has garnered at least 12 opportunities in three of his last four games, including an average of 2.8 red zone carries during that stretch. He’ll be a good bet to reach the end zone against a Vikings defense that’s surrendered seven rushing scores to backs over their last six games.
• Cardinals RB Bam Knight (25%) – Trey Benson looked like he was on the verge of returning, but then he didn’t practice last Thursday, suggesting his return might not be as imminent as we thought. In his stead, Knight and Michael Carter split the load, with the former seeing a 14-10 edge in opportunities. Knight is now averaging 13.4 opportunities per game over his last seven outings. A brutal matchup with the Rams makes the 24-year-old a desperation-only play in Week 14.
• Bengals RB Samaje Perine (3%) – While Chase Brown was still the lead back in Week 13 against the Ravens, Perine saw plenty of work. The veteran totaled 14 games and two targets in a game where the Bengals were leading for the entirety of the second half. That kind of volume puts him in play against a Bills defense that’s ceding the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs.
• Other RB streamers to consider – Ravens RB Keaton Mitchell (3%), Jaguars RB Bhayshul Tuten (44%), Rams RB Blake Corum (16%), Cardinals RB Michael Carter (5%)

Week 14 fantasy football wide receiver rankings: Risers and sleepers

• Jets WR Adonai Mitchell (2%) – Without Garrett Wilson in the lineup, Mitchell has joined John Metchie II atop the Jets’ wide receiver depth chart. Over his last three games, Mitchell has racked up 6, 7, and 12 targets, respectively. This past week, he turned his 12 targets into 8 receptions for 102 yards and a score. The 23-year-old will be in the WR3 conversation as long as he maintains that kind of volume.
• Packers WRs Jayden Reed (38%) and Dontayvion Wicks (1%) – Over the final nine weeks of his rookie season, Reed ranked as the overall WR9 despite missing a game to injury. Reed could be back this week, and he should be rostered in most leagues. Meanwhile, Wicks is coming off one of the best games of his young career. While he ranked behind Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs in snaps and routes, he finished with seven targets, six receptions, 100 total yards, and two tuddies. Four of Green Bay’s next five games are against teams that are in the bottom 10 against fantasy wideouts, making both Reed and Wicks worth picking up.
• Texans WR Jayden Higgins (35%) – Higgins’ run as Houston’s WR2 didn’t end with C.J. Stroud’s return, as the rookie finished second on the team in snaps (44) and routes (24), as well as third in targets (5). Higgins has now generated at least five looks in five of his last six games. The 22-year-old has totaled at least nine half-PPR points in four of his last six.
• Saints WR Devaughn Vele (1%) – With Brandin Cooks and Rashid Shaheed out of the picture, Vele seems to have cemented himself as the WR2 in New Orleans. On Sunday, he led the team in targets (8), tied for the team lead in snaps (64), and ranked second in routes (40). Vele turned his eight targets into eight receptions for 93 yards and a touchdown. He’s a solid streaming option against a Bucs secondary that’s surrendered the eighth-most fantasy points to the position since Week 3.
• Lions WR Isaac TeSlaa (1%) – The Lions, who were already down tight end Sam LaPorta, could be without Amon-Ra St. Brown for a week or two. On Thanksgiving, TeSlaa finished just one snap and route behind Jameson Williams for the team lead. Given how electric he’s looked on just a few targets, he should be more involved against Dallas in Week 14. No team has allowed more fantasy points to wideouts than the Cowboys in 2025.
• Other WR streamers to consider – Colts WR Josh Downs (48%), Broncos WR Pat Bryant (2%), Lions WR Tom Kennedy (0%), Bears WR Luther Burden III (10%)

Week 14 fantasy football tight end rankings: Risers and sleepers

• Jaguars TE Brenton Strange (32%) – Strange has recorded 11.8 and 12.0 half-PPR points in the two games since he returned from injury, putting him very much on the TE1 map going forward. The 24-year-old will be a top-10 play against a Colts defense that’s allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to tight ends this season.
• Dolphins TE Darren Waller (30%) – Waller played just 46% of the snaps in his return from IR, and he ended up leading the team in receiving on just three targets. The veteran will face the Jets, Steelers, and Bengals over his next three games, making him a priority pickup at the position.
• Other TE streamers to consider – Rams TE Colby Parkinson (2%), Bills TE Dawson Knox (3%), Browns TE Harold Fannin Jr. (33%), Ravens TE Isaiah Likely (5%)

Week 14 fantasy football rankings: PPR, half-PPR and standard